If you’ve ever wished for that effortless, sun-kissed glow without the sun damage, we’ve found your new favorite local gem. Today, we’re introducing you to Kristen DuBois, owner of a BlushTan exclusive studio in the heart of downtown Summit, NJ, and a busy mom who’s doing it all with style and heart.
Her studio features organic, anti-aging ingredients and custom colors for all skin tones, delivering a glow that’s as healthy as it is beautiful.
Let’s get to know Kristen!
How many kids/pets do you have and what are their ages?
I’m a mom of two littles – Daniel (3) and Claire (2). We also have a not-so-small fur baby named Dixie, our Bernese Mountain Dog. Our house is absolute chaos most days, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
What are your favorite family activities in Essex County?
We absolutely love visiting the Turtle Back Zoo (my kids could ride the train all day!) and hiking at the South Mountain Reservation. We feel so lucky to have such beautiful, family-friendly spots just a short drive away.
Tell us about your business and how you got started.
I’ve known from a young age that I wanted to build my own business, which ultimately led me to Babson College, the top-ranked school for entrepreneurship.
While in college, a friend had the most beautiful, natural-looking glow. I was shocked to learn it was a spray tan. She went to BlushTan, and I quickly became a loyal client. As someone who is very fair-skinned and mindful of sun exposure, I had tried many spray tans that felt unnatural. BlushTan was a game changer, not just because of the natural-looking results, but also the premium ingredients.
I ended up working there part-time during college as one of the founder’s earliest hires and continued spray tanning alongside my corporate marketing career because I genuinely loved the craft. After moving to New York City, I explored other studios but nothing compared to the quality, customization, and results of BlushTan.
After getting married, moving to Essex County, and welcoming our first child, I felt inspired to pursue my entrepreneurial dream. Bringing my personal gold standard of spray tanning to life felt incredibly full circle, and Summit, New Jersey immediately felt like the perfect home for it.
Where can we find you?
We’ve recently relocated to a private suite on the 3rd floor of the Bassett Building, next door to Alba Boutique and Donna Donaldson Home & Interiors. A BlushTan™ studio in the heart of downtown Summit!
Our studio space is designed to provide a quick, yet luxurious experience and exclusively features BlushTan® organic-based solutions and skincare. We’re proud to be owned and operated by a member of the local community.
What can customers expect?
An elevated, customized sunless tanning experience from start to finish.
We offer one of the best spray tan products on the market paired with thoughtful, detail-driven service. With the ability to customize over 100 shades, we create the perfect undertone and depth for every skin type, season, and occasion.
Our proprietary solutions are formulated with premium, organic-derived ingredients and function as skincare delivering hydration, anti-aging benefits, and pH-balancing without the need for additional upgrades. Every detail is intentional, and nothing is an afterthought.
What do you love about your job?
Helping clients achieve a beautiful, natural glow without compromising their health means everything to me. It’s the very reason I fell in love with BlushTan years ago, and being able to make that level of quality more accessible is deeply rewarding.
Clients visit us for weddings, vacations, birthdays, work events, school dances or simply as a pick-me-up. Watching them leave feeling confident, radiant, and cared for never gets old.
I also love the team we’ve built. They are professional, warm, and genuinely invested in each client’s experience. Our clients often comment on how exceptional the team is and I couldn’t agree more.
Tell us about your role as both a mom and business owner. How do you manage it all?
Most weeks are a mix of running the business from home while the kids are sleeping, handling marketing, client communication, inventory, etc. and heading into the studio to spray tan clients when needed.
It’s a constant balancing act and truly takes a village, from childcare support to the incredible team in the studio.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Be present with whatever you’re doing. When you’re with your kids, be fully there. When you’re working, give that your full focus. We don’t need to be everything to everyone all at once and we shouldn’t feel guilty for that.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
Whether you’re new to spray tanning or an experienced spray tanner, we would love to welcome you to our studio. Experiencing a BlushTan spray tan is about more than just color, it’s about care, customization, and a glow that looks effortlessly natural.
From all of us at Essex County Moms: We love spotlighting local moms building incredible businesses right here in our community and Kristen is the perfect example of passion, purpose, and glow done right.
